ASSEMBLY JIG AND USE THEREOF FOR ASSEMBLING DOME SECTION PANELS CURVED IN TWO DIMENSIONS
An adjustable jig for assembling curved section panels of a dome structure includes a support surface, multiple arm guide members disposed on the support surface and multiple drives independently moving each of the guide members to position the arm guide members along an arc of a desired curvature. Each arm guide member further includes an adjustable bracket positioning horizontal and vertical components of the curved section panels and a gripping device securing these horizontal and vertical components.
This is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 11/496,299 filed Jul. 31, 2006, in the name of Salah Eldeib, and entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODULAR CONSTRUCTION OF A DOME STRUCTURE AND ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS FOR FACILITATING SAME, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a jig for assembling dome section panels curved in two dimensions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDome structures are noted for their strength and stability. They are highly hurricane resistant since they are aerodynamic and earthquake resistant as a result of their ability to distribute and efficiently dissipate the applied stresses. Monolithic dome structures are typically constructed by elaboration of a concrete ring foundation and require that all tools and machinery to be used are brought to the site of construction. A different method of constructing a dome structure involves creating a first circular segment, having a given diameter and height, which is secured to the ground. The circular segment itself is created by connecting a plurality of individual panels which are curved in both their length and height dimension. Circular segments having a successively decreased diameter are subsequently introduced to complete construction of a dome structure. This was disclosed in a previous patent “System and Method for Modular Construction of a Dome Structure and Assembly Components for Facilitating Same.” It necessitates a method for preparing panels curved in two dimensions.
An assembly jig for assembling and preparing each panel curved in one dimension was disclosed in Canadian Patent CA 1,228,976. The aforementioned teaches an apparatus comprised of a series of parallel ribs which are connected together and can be moved simultaneously to create a curved surface for assembly of a panel. Since all the ribs are connected and move simultaneously as one unit, the apparatus suffers from the limitation that the curved surface can be in the form of a circular arc or an elliptical arc, but not both. A more significant limitation lies in the absence of a means for introducing or accommodating curvature in a second dimension. Thus, there is a need for an assembly jig that can be utilized to prepare panels curved in two dimension.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention addresses the need for a jig that can be employed to assemble a dome section panel that is curved in two dimensions. According to the present invention, an apparatus incorporates an odd number of guide arms that function to guide and secure the positioning of horizontal and vertical components while they are being fastened to form the section panel. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each guide arm possesses an arm carriage that houses a lower bracket and an upper bracket for positioning lower and upper plates, respectively, which define the frame of the curved section panel. The apparatus allows vertical components, which impart strength to the curved section, to be positioned between the lower and upper plates, oriented perpendicular to the lower and upper plates and fastened to the lower and upper plates. The brackets can be rotated to accommodate vertical components that are curved in their height (vertical) dimension, which determines the vertical curvature of the section panel.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each arm carriage is supported by a base carriage. With the exception of the central base carriage, each base carriage can be moved independently along a curved path, such that the guide arms can be arranged, collectively, in the form an arc. This determines the curvature in the length dimension of the section panel. The location of the base carriages is adjusted according to the desired spacing between vertical components of an assembled curved panel and the desired degree of curvature in the length dimension of an assembled curved panel. Since each guide arm can be moved independently, the guide arms collectively provide a method for introducing curvature either in the form of a circular arc or an elliptical arc. Together, these unique features allow a single apparatus to be employed for the assembly of panels that are curved in two dimensions.
The assembly jig according to the present invention is specifically adapted for the assembly of dome section panels curved in two dimensions. In order to understand the present invention, an exemplary assembled panel 20 curved in two dimensions is shown in
The upper 22 and lower 24 frame plates are fastened to vertical components, termed ribs 34. Ribs 34 can be formed from any suitable engineering material showing suitable strength characteristics. The height of the ribs 34 determines the height of the assembled curved section panel 20. A typical rib 34 is illustrated in
A preferred embodiment of the assembly jig 40 is illustrated in
With reference to
Each arm carriage 48 can be rotated from its upright position, from 0 to 90 degrees, about an axis that lies perpendicular to the length of the arm carriage 48. This rotation path 54 is depicted in
As illustrated in
Prior to assembling the curved section panel 20, the height of the upper bracket 62 on every arm carriage 48 is adjusted to match the height of ribs 34 (and, consequently, of plates 20) that are to be used in the assembly. The angle of each the lower and upper bracket 60, 62 is then adjusted to match the curvature in the height (vertical) dimension of ribs 34. The angle at which arm carriages 48 lie is set to a predetermined value that facilitates access to both the lower and upper ends of ribs 34 during assembly. With the exception of the central base carriage 48, each base carriage 48 is moved to a predetermined position on its associated curved path 50, which will determine the required curvature, in the length dimension, and the required spacing between ribs 34 in the assembled curved section panel.
With reference to
As shown in
Each arm carriage 80 includes a lower bracket 84 and an upper bracket 86 for positioning and securing horizontal and vertical components during the assembly of the curved section panel. The distance between the lower and upper brackets 84, 86 can be adjusted to accommodate ribs 34 of different height, and brackets 84, 86 can be rotated to accommodate ribs 34 that are curved in their height (vertical) dimension, as described in more detail above with respect to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Arm carriages 80 can be rotated from an upright position, perpendicular to the plane of the support surface, from 0 to 90 degrees. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned movements are effected by means of worm gears 88 and 90, respectively although any suitable mechanical means can be employed.
While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1. An apparatus for assembling section panels of a dome structure, comprising:
- a support surface;
- a plurality of guide members disposed on the support surface, each guide member further comprising an adjustable bracket positioning horizontal and vertical components of the section panels and a gripping device selectively securing horizontal and vertical components of the section panels; and
- a plurality of drives independently moving each of the guide members to position the guide members along an arc of a desired curvature.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide members are arm carriages.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the arm carriages houses a pair of the adjustable brackets.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a distance between the adjustable brackets on each arm carriage is adjustable to accommodate the vertical components, such that the distance between the adjustable brackets defines a first dimension of the section panels.
5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the adjustable brackets are configured to rotate to engage ends of the vertical components.
6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the adjustable brackets are configured to rotate to engage ends of the vertical components.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gripping device selectively securing the vertical and horizontal components is a clamp.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drives independently moving each of the guide members are configured to position the guide members along an arc that defines a second dimension of the section panels.
9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the drives independently moving each of the guide members is configured to move the guide members individually along designated curved paths, the curved paths being concentrically arranged.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of the drives independently moving each of the guide members comprises a worm gear.
11. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of the drives independently moving each of the guide members comprises a hydraulic mechanism.
12. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of the drives independently moving each of the guide members comprises a pneumatic mechanism.
13. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the means for independently moving each of the guide members is configured to move the guide members individually along designated straight paths, the straight paths being radially arranged on a semi-circular surface.
14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each of the drives independently moving each of the guide members comprises a worm gear.
15. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each of the drives independently moving each of the guide members comprises a hydraulic mechanism.
16. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each of the drives independently moving each of the guide members comprises a pneumatic mechanism.
17. A method for assembling a dome section panel curved in two dimensions comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of guide members positioning horizontal and vertical components of the dome section panel, each guide member further comprising adjustable brackets positioning the horizontal and vertical components;
- adjusting a distance between the adjustable brackets to accommodate dimensions of vertical ribs of the dome section panel;
- adjusting positions of the guide members to define a desired radius of curvature;
- placing a lower horizontal frame plate of the dome section panel on a lowermost of the adjustable brackets;
- securing the lower horizontal frame plate;
- placing an upper horizontal frame plate on an uppermost of the adjustable brackets;
- securing the upper horizontal plate;
- placing a lower posterior shoulder plate, oriented perpendicular to the lower horizontal frame plate, on the lowermost of the adjustable brackets;
- fastening the lower posterior shoulder plate to the lower horizontal frame plate;
- placing an upper posterior shoulder plate, oriented perpendicular to the upper horizontal frame plate, on the uppermost of the adjustable brackets;
- fastening the upper posterior shoulder plate to the upper horizontal frame plate;
- placing the vertical ribs between the lowermost and the uppermost horizontal frame plates, oriented perpendicular to the horizontal frame plates;
- placing a lower anterior shoulder plate, oriented perpendicular to the lower horizontal frame plate, on the lowermost of the adjustable brackets;
- fastening the lower anterior shoulder plate to the lower horizontal frame plate;
- placing an upper anterior shoulder plate, oriented perpendicular to the upper horizontal frame plate, on the uppermost of the adjustable brackets; and
- fastening the upper anterior shoulder plate to the upper horizontal frame.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 19, 2007
Publication Date: Jan 31, 2008
Inventor: Salah Eldeib (Vancouver)
Application Number: 11/688,018
International Classification: E04B 1/32 (20060101);